Australia will be readying for the fourth Test of the BGT 2024 against India at the MCG in Melbourne. The five-Test series is tied at 1-1 with India winning in Perth, Australia winning in Adelaide, and the Brisbane Test ending in a draw.
As per Australia head coach Andrew McDonald, 19-year-old Sam Konstas is set for his Test debut, and injury concerns loom over the most iin-formbatter in the series, Travis Head.
Konstas, 19, will become the 468th Australian men's Test cricketer to wear the Baggy Green after selector Tony Dodemaide told him of his selection after training at the MCG on Tuesday morning.
Konstas will be the youngest Test debutant for Australia since 18-year-old Pat Cummins joined the side in 2011.
“We wanted clarity for our batting unit before the team meeting. It’s (breaking the news) something we don’t usually do because haven’t had too many moving parts, but we thought we’d get that out of the way so everyone knows that he’s in the team.
He (Konstas) has been very similar to what I’ve seen on the outside within (the team) — composed, relaxed, and knows his game. And what he’s shown is an array of shots, the ability to put pressure back on opponents and he gets his opportunity," Australia coach Andrew McDonald said ahead of the fourth Test.
Konstas replaces Nathan McSweeney in the side after the opener was dropped because of a string of poor scores in the three Tests so far.
However, McDonald stated that Head, one of the in-form hitters in the series with two hundreds, suffered "a small strain to the quad" on the final day of the third Test at the Gabba. The 'player of the match' in the previous two Tests received only throw-downs from assistant coach Brad Hodge rather than his fast-bowling teammates at the nets on Tuesday.
“I thought he looked good with the bat in his hands so obviously the skills are in good order. It will just be what risk is associated with that. But no concerns from my end, he’s been able to do his running so I think he’ll be functional come game time,” McDonald said.
Josh Inglis and Beau Webster, both uncapped, are the squad's standbys. The coach did not comment on who would replace the middle-order spot if Head is unable to prove his fitness.
Pacer Scott Boland, on the other hand, is almost certain to replace Josh Hazlewood, who is recovering from a calf strain.
“I think this wicket might offer the batters a little bit more in terms of the surface as the game draws on. If we didn’t pick Scotty (Boland) here — and I know I’m not allowed to declare the team because that’s Pat’s (Cummins) job tomorrow — but I don’t think I’m coming to the ground Boxing Day if Scotty’s not in the eleven.
We’ve got great depth in our bowling, and (all-rounder) Mitch Marsh is fully fit and able to bowl. But he (Boland) is ready to go and I think he’ll play a role in this Test match with the ball more so than the previous ones,” the Australia coach added.
(PTI inputs)
